Bible in Life

In 20-25 minutes, John walks through the meaning of a passage out of the Bible and reflects on the difference it makes in your life. John believes that Bible teaching should be ”blue jeans theology” - theology for everyday life. Who couldn’t use a little more wisdom from God in their life?To become a patron and support the show, go to https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker.

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Episodes 300

Jesus Died to Make Peace | Ephesians 2:11-18
3d ago · 19:57
Jesus Died to Make Peace Jesus didn't only die to reconcile us to God; he also died to make peace between people, even in the face of long-standing hostilities. God's plan is to unite people of all kinds together into one new humanity in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:11-18 11 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, havi
God Rescued Us! | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 2:4-10
17d ago · 21:58
God Rescued Us! | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 2:4-10 Ephesians 2:4-10 describes how God rescued us from the desperate plight of sin and death. And it tells us why he did it: because he's rich in mercy, full of great love, surpassing in grace, and genuinely kind. Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to c
The Desperate Plight of Life Without Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 2:1-3
24d ago · 19:35
The Desperate Plight of Life Without Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 2:1-3 Ephesians 2:1-3 provides a diagnosis of our human condition outside of Christ, and the situation is dire. Sin is not just a few bad deeds in an otherwise decent life. It is a disease that infects us to the core. It also infects cultures so that the entire human way of life is corrupt. Looking at ourselves honestly like this leads to greater gratitude and humility in our relationship with God. Ephesians 2:1-3 2:1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the c
Life and Ministry Update - July 2026
1mo ago · 11:23
Life and Ministry Update - July 2026 The King Arrives - Sermon, Stonehill Church https://www.stonehill.church/media/hgfw2xb/the-king-arrives-john-12-12-19 Holy Spirit Lessons - Antioch Collective, St Louis https://antiochcollective.churchcenter.com/channels/29603/series/93306 Why Does the Bible Say Not to Eat Pork? (Food Laws article) https://renew.org/why-does-the-bible-say-not-to-eat-pork/ Article: What Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement? https://renew.org/what-is-penal-substitutionary-atonement/ Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support th
Everything Your Heart Desires | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 1:15-22
1mo ago · 18:50
Everything Your Heart Desires | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 1:15-22 Meaning. Purpose. True riches. Power. These are the things that every person longs for. In Ephesians 1:15-22, the apostle Paul prays that we would see that we have these very things in Christ. Ephesians 1:15-22 15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of re
A Blessed Life Now, with More to Come | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14, pt 2
1mo ago · 17:25
A Blessed Life Now, with More to Come | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 3 Ephesians 1:3-14 contains Paul's prayer of thanksgiving and praise for all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. By listening to it, we learn what Paul's idea of a blessed life is. We also see that what God has given us in Christ speaks deeply to our human longing for meaning and value and we learn that as blessed as we already are in Christ, there's still more to come. Praise God for all he has done for us and will do for us in the world to come. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: http
How to Grow in Faith
1mo ago · 23:02
How to Grow in Faith A regular listener to The Listener's Commentary asked me this question: do you have any resources to help me grow in faith? Or have you discussed it on the Bible in Life podcast? This is such an important question, so I wanted to offer a few thoughts on this episode. Faith is confidence in and loyalty to God. It is based on who God is, what he has said, and what he has promised. Faith is also developmental. That is, growing in faith goes through stages just like physical growth does: from infancy, to childhood, to adolescence, to adulthood. We need to recognize this. And i
Living In Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14
1mo ago · 18:03
Living In Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 2 Ephesians 1:3-14 In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul praises God for all that He has done for us in Christ. He refers to it as "every spiritual blessing." In doing so, he highlights that our life as Christians is lived "in Christ." In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we reflect what it means to live an in Christ life and offer three suggestions for cultivating ongoing union with Jesus. Book Recommendation: How to Live an 'In Christ' Life: 100 Devotional Readings on Union with Christ, by Kenneth Berding. Free 30 Page eBook to help yo
Learning Theology Must Lead to Lived Theology | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 1
2mo ago · 13:59
Learning Theology Must Lead to Lived Theology | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 1 In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast we begin a reflective walk through Ephesians by reflecting on what the structure of Ephesians teaches us about the relationship between theology and practical life. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/ The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible t
Following Jesus is Not Complicated
2mo ago · 15:48
Following Jesus is Not Complicated The Lord has been reminding me again of late that following Jesus isn’t really complicated. It’s not easy... that's true. But it’s also not confusing and complicated. I think part of the reason this has struck me of late is because of all the books and all the podcasts and all the content I encounter that it seems like we’re muddying the waters and making following Jesus seem really complicated and confusing. But it’s ultimately not. So sometimes I think it's helpful to step back and boil things down to the essence of the thing. So in this episode of the Bibl
Giving People a Chance to Love the Bible, with special guest Matt Whitman
2mo ago · 49:44
Giving People a Chance to Love the Bible, with special guest Matt Whitman This episode of the Bible in Life podcast features special guest Matt Whitman of the Ten Minute Bible Hour. In a free wheeling conversation, Matt and I talk about the church and ministry and teaching people the Bible. And Matt's new book The Lightning-Fast Field Guide to the Bible (which you can find here). All of this deals with taking the time and making the effort to teach the Bible in such that helps people love the Bible. You can find Matt on YouTube at youtube.com/@MattWhitmanTMBH and youtube.com/@TenMinuteBibleHou
What was it like to be a Jew in Jesus' day? | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 6
2mo ago · 22:17
What was it like to be a Jew in Jesus' day? | Real World of the Gospels, pt. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we wrap up our series on the real world of the gospels by exploring a few key features of Jewish belief and practice in Jesus' day. Their religious identity gave them a strong social identity. Things like circumcision, clean and unclean foods, and ritual purity marked them out as distinct. Not only that, but Jews in the first century knew their story was incomplete. They were longing and waiting for God to act and restore the fortunes of Israel. And in that context, along
Money, Finance, and Making a Living in Jesus' Day | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 5
3mo ago · 22:13
Money, Finance, and Making a Living in Jesus' Day | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 5 What's a denarius? What's a drachma? What's a talent? How did people people make a living and what was the local economy like in Jesus' day? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast we look at the world of money, finance, and making a living the gospels. This episode was inspired by a question emailed in from a listener. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://wor
Where in the world was Jesus? - Geography | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 4
3mo ago · 22:07
Where in the world was Jesus? - Geography | World of the Gospels, pt. 4 Reading the Bible is like taking a trip to a foreign country in a time machine. And one of the things that means is that, whether we like it or not, we're going to have to learn some geography. So in this episode of the Bible in Life podcast we consider the basic geography for the life and ministry of Jesus. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whit
Were the Pharisees really the bad guys? | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 3
3mo ago · 27:53
Were the Pharisees really the bad guys? Who were the Pharisees? Ask that question in a Bible study at pretty much any church and you’re likely to hear answers like: “Hypocrites.” “Legalists” “Self-righteous religious leaders who opposed Jesus.” In short, the Pharisees are the “bad guys.” In Christian circles to describe someone as a “pharisee” is no compliment. It’s usually a way of criticizing them for being self-righteous and legalistic. But all of this paints a caricature of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. So, who were the Pharisees, really? Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bib
The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 2 | Roman Occupation
3mo ago · 29:51
The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 2 | Roman Occupation The Jewish world Jesus lived in was a world under foreign occupation. The Romans were in charge, and from the Jewish perspective, Roman occupation meant the exile wasn’t completely over. And that brought new realities and new tensions. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we explore both the blessings and curses of the Roman presence in Galilee and Judea, how Jesus engaged with that Roman presence, and what that teaches us. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry
The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 1 | History and Backstory
4mo ago · 26:59
The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 1 | History and Backstory When you turn the page from Malachi to Matthew, 400 years have passed. Much has happened to the Jews and life hasn't been easy. Centuries of foreign occupation. Generations have come and gone longing and aching for God to act. Yet the heavens seem silent. When will God fulfill his promise to Abraham and all his glorious promises in the prophets? This is the world Jesus grew up in. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donat
Spiritual Drift - Doug's Story
4mo ago · 19:03
Spiritual Drift - Doug's Story Spiritual drift is a real possibility for any one of us. Our faith becomes second nature. Then routine. Then blah. And then ... Apathy creeps in, slowly but persistently until we find ourselves distant and disconnected from God. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, I share the story of a regular listener who grew up going to church, was saved at 11, and never didn't consider himself a Christian. But spiritual drift slowly moved him away from God. He shares what caused the drift for him and what brought the drift to an end. Free 30 Page eBook to help you
Bonus Episode: Serving Jesus in Yukon Territory, with Jeremy Norton
4mo ago · 28:19
Bonus Episode: Serving Jesus in Yukon Territory, with Jeremy Norton In this special episode of the Bible in Life podcast John shares part of his conversation with Jeremy Norton, a pastor in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. Jeremy has seen many people come to Christ through his ministry in Whitehorse. To learn more about Jeremy, visit https://www.leadbiblically.com/ And to check out his new book titled Meeting Jesus: The Transformational Encounters of John’s Gospel, click here. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set u
Listener Question: Why does it seem like the Spirit fails to transform some people? | Life in the Spirit, pt. 7
4mo ago · 25:15
Why does it seem like the Spirit fails to transform some people? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we think through a question sent in by a listener who asked, why does it seem like the Spirit fails to transform some people? We explore: the tension of the already-not yet our need to partner with the Spirit the importance of recognizing that we all start at different places the failure of the Church in the way we preach the gospel and teach about the Spirit Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up a recurring
Set Your Mind on the Things of the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 6
4mo ago · 29:40
Set Your Mind on the Things of the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 6 One of the keys to life in the Spirit is what we allow to fill and occupy our minds. The apostle Paul writes, "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh can
The Lord's Supper and the Last Supper
5mo ago · 16:53
The Lord's Supper and the Last Supper Christians of all kinds regularly celebrate the Lord's Supper or Communion or the Eucharist. Jesus instituted this commemorative meal during what has come to be known as the Last Supper, a Passover meal He celebrated with his disciples the night before his crucifixion. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, we look at the original setting and historical background to the Lord's Supper which deepens its meaning and our experience of it. Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https://www.johnwhittaker.net Support this ministry: Set up
Praying in the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 5
5mo ago · 13:17
Praying in the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 5 How does the Holy Spirit help us pray? What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? Ephesians 6:18 "With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints" Romans 8:26-27 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the sa
Be Filled with the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 4
5mo ago · 14:55
Be Filled with the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 4 Ephesians 5:15-18 says, "15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" As we continue our series on "Life in the Spirit," in this episode of the Bible in Life podcast we reflect on what it means to be "filled with the Spirit." Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: https
How to Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) | Life in the Spirit, pt. 3
5mo ago · 23:54
How to Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) | Life in the Spirit, pt. 3 Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." This is the basic behavioral command for Christians. We can obey all other commands only insofar as we are obeying this command, because the Spirit's presence and power is what enables the transformation necessary to become the kind of person who can obey the other commands. So how do we walk by the Spirit? Tune in to this episode of the Bible in Life podcast for some reflections on how to walk by the Spirit. Free 30 Pa

Episodes

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More Religion shows

Bible in Life

Episodes 300

Jesus Died to Make Peace | Ephesians 2:11-18

God Rescued Us! | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 2:4-10

The Desperate Plight of Life Without Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 2:1-3

Life and Ministry Update - July 2026

Everything Your Heart Desires | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 1:15-22

A Blessed Life Now, with More to Come | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14, pt 2

How to Grow in Faith

Living In Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14

Learning Theology Must Lead to Lived Theology | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 1

Following Jesus is Not Complicated

Giving People a Chance to Love the Bible, with special guest Matt Whitman

What was it like to be a Jew in Jesus' day? | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 6

Money, Finance, and Making a Living in Jesus' Day | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 5

Where in the world was Jesus? - Geography | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 4

Were the Pharisees really the bad guys? | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 3

The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 2 | Roman Occupation

The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 1 | History and Backstory

Spiritual Drift - Doug's Story

Bonus Episode: Serving Jesus in Yukon Territory, with Jeremy Norton

Listener Question: Why does it seem like the Spirit fails to transform some people? | Life in the Spirit, pt. 7

Set Your Mind on the Things of the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 6

The Lord's Supper and the Last Supper

Praying in the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 5

Be Filled with the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 4

How to Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) | Life in the Spirit, pt. 3

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Episodes 300

Jesus Died to Make Peace | Ephesians 2:11-18

God Rescued Us! | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 2:4-10

The Desperate Plight of Life Without Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 2:1-3

Life and Ministry Update - July 2026

Everything Your Heart Desires | A Reflective Walk through Ephesians 1:15-22

A Blessed Life Now, with More to Come | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14, pt 2

How to Grow in Faith

Living In Christ | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians 1:3-14

Learning Theology Must Lead to Lived Theology | A Reflective Walk Through Ephesians, pt. 1

Following Jesus is Not Complicated

Giving People a Chance to Love the Bible, with special guest Matt Whitman

What was it like to be a Jew in Jesus' day? | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 6

Money, Finance, and Making a Living in Jesus' Day | Real World of the Gospels, pt. 5

Where in the world was Jesus? - Geography | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 4

Were the Pharisees really the bad guys? | The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 3

The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 2 | Roman Occupation

The Real World of the Gospels, pt. 1 | History and Backstory

Spiritual Drift - Doug's Story

Bonus Episode: Serving Jesus in Yukon Territory, with Jeremy Norton

Listener Question: Why does it seem like the Spirit fails to transform some people? | Life in the Spirit, pt. 7

Set Your Mind on the Things of the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 6

The Lord's Supper and the Last Supper

Praying in the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 5

Be Filled with the Spirit | Life in the Spirit, pt. 4

How to Walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) | Life in the Spirit, pt. 3